-Extends 1998 partnership through 2013-

VERTEX BUSINESS SERVICES, the leader in Customer Management Services for Utilities in North America, today announced the signing of a five-year contract extension with Pacific Northern Gas Ltd.  It is the first contract extension for this successful outsourcing partnership which began in 1998 and continues through 2013.

Pacific Northern Gas Ltd. (PNG) delivers natural gas to customers in west-central British Columbia and through its subsidiary Pacific Northern Gas (N.E.) Ltd., to customers in the province’s northeast.  PNG strives to be a customer-focused, market-driven company which provides service of superior value to its 40,000 customers in British Columbia.

Vertex provides PNG with hosting and application management services utilizing its Enlogix customer billing system. Vertex also provides remittance processing and bill print services.

“PNG is very pleased to sign a long term renewal to extend our relationship with Vertex,” said Roy Dyce, President and Chief Executive Officer of Pacific Northern Gas. “Vertex has demonstrated that they are a cost effective and operationally reliable partner. The Enlogix CIS product roadmap will effectively meet our business and customer service needs for many years to come.  We look forward to our ongoing partnership with Vertex.”

“We’re thrilled that Pacific Northern Gas has chosen to continue to partner with Vertex for such critical business functions,” said Richard Charles, Head of  Vertex’s Client Services organization. “Over the past ten years, Vertex has developed an in-depth understanding of PNG’s service requirements and business objectives.  We look forward to building on that experience to deliver exceptional services to PNG and their customers.”